Departure day from Shelburne dawned clear and sunny and our departure time was based on the tide cycle. The guide suggested the best time to leave was an hour before high tide, although we would have some adverse current for a couple of hours it would pay off in the long run. We were off the hook by 7 and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast as we motored the 8 miles down Shelburne Bay to the ocean. As if on cue the fog rolled back in reducing our visibility to less than 1/2 mile and it would remain that way until mid afternoon. The forecast called for a 10 knot headwind until we rounded Cape Sable and then they would gradually shift to a beam as we turned the corner and set course for Rockland Maine. By mid afternoon we were enjoying great conditions, 2 foot seas, 8-12 knot breeze on the beam and the further west we got the warmer the water got. We wanted to try and ride the 9 foot tide into the approaches to Rockland so we kept the motor at a fast idle most of the way in order to keep our speed up in the fluctuating wind. As night fell the stars came out and we were content as Dagny churned along averaging over 7 knots as we crossed the mouth of the Bay of Fundy.

However, as we all know, most good things come to an end. As dawn broke and we were closing the Maine coast the visibility started dropping. The fog rolled in once again reducing visibility to next to nothing, then the rain started followed by thunderstorms. We have gradually become more proficient using the radar and this was a good test. I was able to identify individual cells which allowed us to adjust our speed and heading to avoid what we thought were the worst conditions. But don't get me wrong, Dagny got a thorough wash and I reminded Bev not to touch anything metal as lightening danced in the clouds. Finally, the storms passed and we carried on towards our destination.

The Maine coast is well known by sailors to be littered with lobster traps which can quickly foul a propeller and we knew we were in for a long morning when we sighted our first floats in 350' of water. Rather than take a shorter route across a shallow bank that would be littered with traps we elected to take the deep water preferred channel. This is the main shipping channel into Portland and we figured there wouldn't be traps in a major shipping channel. In theory our plan was perfect, however, the visibility was still only 200 yards at best and as we lined up for the channel the AIS showed a target coming our way. Turns out it was a loaded tanker steaming at 13 knot and he would pass us somewhere in the fog shrouded channel; to make matters worse as the fog thickened he started leaning on the fog horn every two minutes. After discussing the options we figured the least of two evils was to cut across the shallow bank, after all how bad could it be. Actually one would probably have had a better chance of getting through a mine field, for 4 hours we picked our way through lobster traps, most of the time at reduced speed with me on one side of the cockpit and Bev on the other. Finally after 32 hours and 200 miles we arrived in Rockland and there were even lobster traps in the mooring field!

Once we cleared customs via the online app I headed ashore to check in with the harbour master. Unbeknownst to us we arrived right in the middle of Lobsterfest. The waterfront was packed with various food trucks, vendors, as well as organized activities for all. The main stage had greats live music all day long. Sadly we were too tired to take full advantage of the festivities. We looked forward to exploring the town after a good sleep.

Today's picture is of the Coast Guard Training Ship that was in town for Lobster Fest.